“HMICFRS is beginning to see examples of forces taking action to prioritise their demand in such a way that low-priority and less urgent incidents can be left unresolved for long periods.”

HM Inspector Mike Cunningham emphasised that prioritisation is “absolutely the right thing to do” but sometimes it can be “misapplied”.

He added: “In some places when a call for service is assessed as low priority, not only might it wait for a long time, but sometimes they might go unresourced completely. Nothing is done at all. I know there will be examples across the country of when there has been a call for service that has not been responded to or attended to.”

Asked if this could include criminal damage, assault, or violent offences, he said: “I think we would find examples across the country for all of those crime types.”

He stressed that the watchdog was not concluding that there are “systemic” failings in relation to attending calls.

The report comes at a sensitive time in the debate over police resources, which has been played out in public over recent weeks as ministers prepare to unveil the latest cash settlement for forces.

A string of senior figures have raised concerns over the capacity to meet challenges including an unprecedented terror threat and rising levels of violence without a funding boost.

However, Home Secretary Amber Rudd has urged force leaders to focus on cutting crime instead of lobbying for more money.

Amber Rudd (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

HMICFRS said: “While most forces throughout England and Wales have risen impressively to the challenges they face, policing remains under significant stress.”

Policing Minister Nick Hurd said the report identifies “vitally important areas” where police and crime commissioners and chief constables “should be more ambitious and improve efficiency across forces”.

National Police Chiefs’ Council chair Sara Thornton said: “Police forces are determined to spend their money with efficiency and to innovate to adapt and improve our services.”